Page 60 of Twist of Fate

The emphasis was subtle, but Connal saw Zer straighten beside the bed.

Gomez noticed as well. His gaze moved between Cosmo and Zer before settling on Luke. “You’ll be nearby?”

“Next door.”

“And no one is going to drag me anywhere without asking?”

“No,” Cosmo said.

Zer stepped forward. “I can carry you. If you would like me to.”

Gomez regarded him with exaggerated suspicion. “Are you planning to sling me over your shoulder again?”

“No.”

“Will I remain upright?”

“Yes.”

“Will you put me down if I ask?”

“Immediately.”

Gomez held out both arms. “Then you may transport me to my palace.”

“It is not a palace,” Cosmo said.

“You haven’t seen what the pixies did since you’ve been in here. It’s probably a palace by now.”

Zer slid one arm beneath Gomez’s knees and the other behind his back, lifting him from the bed with enough care that Gomez’s expression briefly lost its humor.

“Oh,” he said. “That’s significantly better than last time.”

“I was in haste.”

“You were committing a felony.”

“I do not know that word.”

“I’ll make you a list.”

Avaneel settled on Gomez’s shoulder as Zer carried him toward the door. The other pixies swarmed after them, competing to explain the chamber’s additions.

“We made the ceiling sparkle.”

“The flowers sing when you wake.”

“There are sweets beside the bed.”

“And beneath it.”

Gomez twisted in Zer’s arms to look back at Luke. “If I don’t survive the night, tell everyone I died happy.”

“You’re going next door.”

“Grief makes people irrational, Luka-million. Don’t judge yourself too harshly.”

Luke picked up Gomez’s bag and followed them. Connal pushed himself out of the chair before his mate could disappear through the doorway.